It’s Called, Bond… Animal Bond.

The Human Animal Bond is important to the health and well-being of pet owners.  More and more households include pets, and most of these pet owners consider their pets to be a family member.

• Many families with a pet report an increase in family happiness and fun
• Pet owners feel safer when walking with a dog or sharing a residence with a dog
• Families with pets have better physical and mental health
• Relating to pets improves relationships with other people

Pets benefit children:

• Children exposed to pets during the first year of life have a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis and asthma
• Children with pets show greater self-esteem, empathy and self-reliance
• Kids with pets are more physically active and involved in activities such as sport, hobbies, clubs or chores
• Pets are a great way to teach children about responsibility and caring for others

Pets benefit seniors:

• Seniors with pets make fewer doctor visits and cope better with stressful events
• Medication costs are lower in long term care facilities that have animals as part of the environment
• Activities of daily living levels deteriorate less with seniors who own pets

Pets are like therapists:

• 33% of married women say their pets are better listeners than their husbands
• 18% of married men say their pets are better listeners than their wives
• 8% of pet owners claim they talk about their personal problems to their pets